18-year-old in New Palestine shot and killed; Greenfield man detained after unintentional gunshot

New Palestine, Indiana – An 18-year-old victim of an unintentional gunshot in New Palestine was slain by a 20-year-old Greenfield man who was taken into custody on felony charges on Wednesday.

The 4200 block of South Eclipse Way was the scene of a shooting incident on Wednesday afternoon, according to the New Palestine Police Department.

An 18-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the chest was discovered by the police, according to the NPPD. The victim received first aid from EMS personnel, but after being transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital, the teenager was subsequently declared dead.

Officers from the NPPD detained Erick N. Wilkinson, a 20-year-old Greenfield resident, for the unintentional shooting throughout the course of the inquiry.

According to the NPPD, Wilkinson was arrested and charged with two level 5 felonies: criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and involuntary manslaughter. The Hancock County Jail is housing the suspect, and the county prosecutor will decide whether to press charges.

The victim’s identity is presently being kept a secret until his family has been informed, according to a Facebook post by the NPPD. The department stated near the end of a news release that they are still looking into the accidental gunshot death. Nothing more was disclosed.